Mounting for venetian blinds



H. K. LORENTZEN MOUNTING FOR VENETIAN BLINDS 7 June 8, 1937.

Filed March 14, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

firwjfillorerezem June 8, 1937. LQRENTZEN 2,083,334

MOUNTING FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Filed March 14, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 13 INVENTOR:

J/an-s J6. Lorerzirerz BY W /aovt fJL 7mm TTORNEYJ.

June 8, 1937. H. K. LORENTZEN MOUNTING FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Filed March 14, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I 5? W (I fin INVENTOR:

his ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 8, 1937 UNiTl- D STAT ES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates broadly to Venetian blinds and particularly to brackets for mounting the head-bars of Venetian blinds.

A Venetian blind consists of various slats and operating mechanism, all of which are suspended from, or carried by, a head-bar that is mounted at the top of the window. Sometimes the headbar is mounted inside of the window frame, and other times it is mounted across the face or m front of the window frame. Generally speaking, different brackets, are required for the two positions of mounting; and the brackets have to be paired, one right-hand bracket and one lefthand bracket, to take care of the two ends of 5 the bar. Thus the bracket manufacturers and the blind installers have been compelled to make and stock a multiplicity of different brackets and bracket parts. I

An object of the present invention is to provide Venetian blind mounting brackets of such construction that the same bracket can be used to mount the head-bar either within the window frame or across the face of the window frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide ically stamped from sheet metal. a"

While a number of specific forms of the invention will be disclosed, it should be .notedthat certain major parts are either identical, or similar. in quite a number of the different forms.

Fig. Iof the drawings is an isometric view of a complete head-bar bracket embodying the present invention. The bracket is one assembled for left-hand mounting and includes a lefthand retainer stamping.

Fig. II is an isometric view of a right-hand retainer stamping which may be assembled with other parts shown in Fig. I to form a bracket adapted for right-hand mounting.

Fig. III shows a head-bar mounted on a complete bracket installed as a right-hand bracket. The view shows the bracket primarily in side elevation and shows the head-bar and window frame in vertical section.

Fig. IV is a verticalsectionftaken on the line IV-IV of Fig. III. I

Fig. v illustrates a second form :or the mvention. The view is a vertical transverse section through a head-bar supported on a bracket installed as a left-hand bracket, the bracket appearing primarily in side elevation.

Fig. V is a rear elevation of the main stamp- 5 ing shown in Fig. V.

Fig. VI is a vertical section taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. V.

Fig. VII illustrates a third form of the invention. The view is a sideelevation of certain bracket parts assembled as in left-hand mount- Fig. VIII is a bottom plan view of the hook member shown in Fig. VII. V

Fig. IX illustrates a fourth form of the me vention. The view is a side elevation of certain bracket parts assembled as in left-hand mounting.

Fig. X (sheet 1) is an isometric view showing a fifth form of bracket embodying the present invention.

Fig. XI is a detail vertical section showing the bracket of Fig. X mounted. Fig. XII (sheet 3) shows a sixth form of the invention. The view is an isometric view showing a complete left-hand bracket.

Fig. XIII is a vertical section showing the bracket of Fig. XII mounted and supporting head-bar.

Fig. XIV is an isometric view showing asupporting bracket used in a seventh form oi the invention.

Fig. XV is an isometric view showing a fitting used in conjunction with the supporting bracket of Fig. XIV.

Fig. XVI is a plan view, with parts broken away, showing the elements of Figs. XIV and XV mounted and supporting a head bar.

Fig. XVII is a vertical section taken on the line XVIIXVII oi Fig. XVI.

Figures I XIV Designated as a whole by l is a one-piece sheet metal stamping, whichvis the main part that enters into most 01' the specific forms oi the invention herein disclosed. This stamping has a planar body 2 formed with legs I and l which are of equal length and extend at right angles to each other. The legs have outside edges 3 and I which are also perpendicular to each other and correspond in general to the leg: ii

c an isosceles rigbttriangle. Four wines 5. and l are stamped integrally with the bod I and all project at right angles tnti'iebodyq.

the same side thereof. Each of these wings is perforated, as shown, to receive mounting screws, such as ,screws 8, to mount the bracket on the front or face of a window frame. In case the bracket is to be mounted inside of the win-- dow frame the screws will be inserted through holes h in the body 2.

Each of the legs 8 and 4 is provided with a small hook 9, struck out from the metal of the 1 leg. The body 2 is provided with a round hole I. which hasits center on a line bisecting .the angle formed by legs 3 and ,l (or edges 3' and 4'). Preferably this hole III is so stamped that the displaced metal is formed into a short tube Iflf which has one end integral with the body 2. This short tube can then be made to serve as a tubular rivet,

as will be referred to later. Positioned symmetri- I cally on opposite sides of a line bisecting the angle of the legs, are rectangular holes I I.

It will be seen that all of the elements thus far described are part of a single metal stamping I and that the stamping is symmetrical about a line which bisects the angle formed by the edges 8' and 4. Thus, this stamping can be reversed 26 for either right-hand or left-hand mounting. When mounted left-hand as indicated in Fig. I,

' the wings I and 8 are available for attachment to the upright front surface of a window frame, while the wings 5 and 6 are available to support the top bar I2. when the stamping I is mounted right-hand as. shown in Fig. III, the wings 5 and I are available for attachment to the upright 1 front surface of the window frame, while wings I andlareavailabletosupportthe topbar. In dther right-hand or left-hand position the holes Lmay be used to attach the bracket inside of the window frame.

A sheet metal arm is has a laterally extending end portion I 8* and a reversely extending tip I3". Aillxedto the end It is a cross-head ll of the form mown. A pin I I, biased inwardly by a .spring II, forms a yielding attachment for the cross-head I I and permits the cross-head to be forcibly withdrawn from end It for a slight distance. One end of the cross-head is formed into a knurled thumb piece II", and the other end is formed into a rounded nose It. The inner end of the arm II is pivotally secured to stamping I athole II. This pivotal attachment is of a hollow rivet type, and may be made with an ordinary type of hollow rivet. Preferably, however, the metal displaced from hole II is formed into an integral short tube (as previously described) and this tube is used as a hollow rivet to secure arm I2.

Fig. III clearly shows how cross-head I 4 acts as a retaining finger to hold the head-bar I2 against accidental forward movement. This figure also shows how arm II can be shifted from one leg of stamping I to the other leg thereof,

00 to permit either right-hand or left-hand mount-' ing of the bracket. Cross-head II is provided with two punch marks I" which make small pro iections on the back side of thecross-head. Arm end I8 has two pairs of small holes, as Ill and m mm. W. Each of these pairs of holes corresponds to punch marks I, one pair of such holes being below pin II and the other pair being above pin II. When the parts are in the position shown in full lines in Fig. III, the punch marks 70 I. enter the lower pair of holes in armend Il and hold the cross-head II in a vertical position. However, by forcibly moving the cross-head a short distance away from arm end II, the crosshead may be inverted on pin II (per the arrow in 7 Pig. {Ii-to the position shown in (kt-(1 .5 l es in Fig. III. Punch marks I4 then enterthe other pair of holes in arm end I hand hold-the crossarm in the new position. Arm I8 is sufllciently resilient topermit it to be flexed sidewise (after being raised above hook 9) and swung past hooks 9 into operative position on the other leg of stamping I. Thus the supporting bracket (including stamping I, arm I3, and cross-head I4) is completely reversible for either right-hand or left-hand mounting.-

Fig. II shows a separate-sheet metal stamping, designated as a whole by II, which is used as a part of each complete bracket,to act as a retainer which holds the top bar against backward, up-

ward and endwise movement. These stampings II are made both right and left-hand, a righthand one being used with the supporting bracket I which is mounted at the right end of bar I2, and a left-hand one being used with the supporting bracket I which is mounted at the left end of bar I2. A right-hand retainer is shown in Fig. II-and a left-hand retainer in Fig. I, but for the sake of convenience, the same reference characters will be used for both right-hand and left-hand retainers.

Retainer II includes a flat portion I8 which has a hole I! so positioned that when, the retainer is assembled in a bracket, the hole I8 aligns with the hole of the rivet at It (see Fig. III). A small finger I9 is adapted to enter one of the bracket holes II, depending upon whether wardly to space the blind away from the window.

Bent from portion 22 is a horizontal member 24 which holds bar I2 down. Between portions I8 and 22 there is a notch 25, of the form shown, providing a projection 26. when the retainer I1 is assembled with the bracket I as shown in Fig. I, the projection 26 enters the slot P in either wing 6 or I. When the bracket is to be mounted on the front of a window frame, upper screw S (Fig.

III) passes through hole 20* (as well as through the wing of stamping- I) therebyholding the parts in the assembled position, as is best shown in Fig. I. When the bracket is mounted inside of a window frame, a screw is inserted through hole II and the hole of the rivet at I0, to similarly hold the parts together.

It will be 'seen that the foregoing construction provides for complete right-hand and left-hand brackets; and that with the exception of retainer I'I, all parts are reversible for either right-hand or left-hand mounting. Since retainer I1 is the only part which has to be separately manufactured. and stocked in rights and lefts, the construction .provides a very considerable economy in tools, dies, and stock. a

Fins. V and VI The construction shown in these figures-dumbportion l8 of retainer l1 and one of the notches Stamping 35-may also be provided with holes 42 to IV. However, the body of the arm, designated at I3, is proided with notches N and the arm is not fixedly attached to the main stamping, designated at a whole by I. The arm I3 is telescopically applied to the leg of stamping I, so that the rounded end of the arm projects behind N interlocks with hook 9. When the arm I3 is to be applied to a bracket of opposite hand, the cross-head I4 is inverted as previously described and as indicated in Fig. VI; and then a notched N on the opposite edge of arm l3 functions to interlock with the other hook 9.

Main bracket stamping I may be identical with. stamping I, but preferably differs therefrom by having narrow laterally projecting ledges L which extend between wings 5 and 6 and-also between wings I and 8. Such a ledge provides a convenient sliding surface for the end of arm l3 as the arm is telescoped to the position shown in Fig. V. The provision of a plurality of notches N on each side of arm I 3', adapts the construction for holding different widths of head-bar l2.

Figs. VII and VIII The main bracket stamping I' is identical with stamping I of Fig. V. Arm 13" may differ from arm I3 only in that the inner end is formed into a hook R. This hook R permits the arm to be conveniently suspended from hook 9, in the position shown in dotted lines, while the head-bar is being removed or replaced. If desired arms 13" may be manufactured in pairs, as rights and lefts, so tthat hook R will point downwardly on both right-hand brackets and left-hand brackets, but this is not essential. It will, of course, be understood that arm end I3 is to be provided with a cross-head l4, as previously; and that a retainer I! may be used with the bracket.

Fig. IX I The main bracket stamping I is identical with the stamping l in Fig. I. Aflixed to one leg of the stamping is a flat headed pin 30; and the arm 0 I3' is formed with a keyhole slot 3| which permits the arm to be reciprocated on pin 36 and be Figs. 2: and X! Y .used to secure the head bar I! to the bracket.

., When the head bar is in place on the bracket,

shoulder 4| enters the circular portion of the keyhole slot in wing 36 and secures the head bar against movement. However, by merely loosening the screw slightly, "the shank of the screw may be passed through the slotted portion of the keyhole opening and the bar removed from the bracket wi'thout removing the screw from the bar.

for mounting the bracketinside of a window frame. It will be noted that. the bracket is symmetrical about a line whichbisects the angle of the legs and that therefore the bracket is reversible for eitherv right-hand or left-hand mounting.

, Figs. XII and XIII Bracket stamping I":"is similar to, but not identical with, the' stamping I previously described. One leg :of the stamping has an upwardly extending. brace or clamping portion 43;

lateral extension 46 which may be grasped to reciprocate the clamping member, and is provided with an upper lateral extension 46 which enters the groove in the top of the head bar l2 and secures the head-bar to the bracket. The stationary clamp-bearing portion 43 serves to support the upper vertical part of clamping member 46 against outward bending or flexing.

Preferably clamping member 46 is provided with a recess or aperture 46, which is placed beneath the spring finger 45 while the strap 44 is being welded to the stamping I". This arrangement relieves the tension of spring finger 45 during the welding operation and thereby makes it easier tohold the parts in position for welding. Also aperture 46 permits the spring 45 to be relieved of-tension while the bracket is in stock. Optionally, clamping member 46 may also be provided with one or more other recesses or apertures 1 46f into one of which spring finger 45 snaps when. the clamp-46 is in bar-clamping position.

With this form of the invention, members 44 and 46, are reversible for the assembly of righthand .and left-hand brackets, but the finished brackets must be made as rights and lefts. The particular main stamping shown at l" is also not reversible, but areversible stamping, such as stamping I (Fig. I) may be substituted, if desired.

Figs. XIV t0 XVII With 'this form of the invention the head-bar I2 is supported on brackets which are designated as a whole by 50.

Only a left-hand bracket is illustrated, but it will be understood that the brackets are ,made as rights and lefts. The bracket has a planar body 5|, provided with holes 52 for inside mounting. Wings 53 provide for front mounting. At the top of the bracket there is a horizontal shelf 54 having a series of holes 55. Secured to the underside of bar I2 is a metal stamping having a horizontal portion 56 and a depending portion 51. Carried by the horizontal portion is a counterweighted latch 58.

With the latch 58 held out of the way, the bar, l2 can be put on, or taken off of, the bracket. The depressed end of portion 56 slides beneath shelf 54, and when the latch 58 is released it may readily be engaged in one of the holes 55. This construction permits ready adjustability of the position of the head-bar to place the blind at different distances from the window.

Depending portion 51 is preferably so made that it will receive and support the tilt bar (not shown) of the blind and the blind tilting mechanism. Such mechanism is indicated diagrammatically at 59. As the interlocking fittings at the two ends of the tilt bar may be different, the members having depending portions 51 may be manufactured as rights'and lefts to provide the desired supporting formations at the two ends of the bar. 4

In compliance with the patent statutes, I have disclosed the best forms in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, but it will be understood thatthese forms are illustrative only.

What is claimed is:' l. Ina bracket for mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind, a one-piece sheet metal stamping which is turnable for right-hand or left-hand mounting, said stamping comprising: a planar body having two outside edges which are of equal length and perpendicular to each other, and four wings positioned respectively adjacent to the four ends of said two perpendicular edges, all of the wings extending perpendicular to ,the body on the same side thereof, and the entire stamping being operatively symmetrical about a line bisecting the angle formed by said two outside edges whereby the stamping may be-mounted either right-hand or left-hand.

2. In a bracket for mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind, a one-piece sheet metal stamping comprising: a planar body having two outside edges, which, are of equal length and are perpendicular to each other, and wings projecting from said edges, all of. the wings being perpendicular to said;'bo'dy and on the same side thereof, and there being mountingholes in the body and also in at least some of the wings whereby the bracket may be 'mountedeither on the front or the jamb of a window frame.

. 3. A bracket for mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind, comprising: a planar body having two perpendicular legs of equal length; wings projecting laterally: from each of the legs, the

wings of'eitherrig being adapted to mount the 1 bracket on a vertical frame while the wings of the other leg support the head-bar; bar retaining means movable into and out of position to hold a head bar mounted on the bracket; and means on each of said legs to support the bar retaining means in barholding position, the bar holding means being 'shiftable to operatlve'position on either of said legs to permit the bracket to be mounted either right-hand or left-hand. '4.'A bracket for mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind, comprising: ametal body having two perpendicular legseither of which may be positioned vertically to mount the brack-- et while the other extends horizontally to support a head-bar, a movable arm, means to retain the" arm adjacent to either of said legs, and a right-hand or a left-hand retainer piece; 6. In a structure for mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind; a retainer piece of stamped sheet metal having portions to engage the end,

back, and top of a head-bar; and a bracket of stamped sheet metal having two perpendicular legs, the bracket being formed to interilt with a retainer piece and being operatively symmetrical about a line bisecting the angle formed by its legs, whereby the bracket may be mounted either right-hand or left-hand and receive either a right-hand retainer piece or a left-hand retainer piece.

7. A bracket for mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind, comprising: a sheet metal stamp- '1 ing having a vertical edge and a horizontal edge, a sheet metal strap secured to said stamping, the strap having an integral spring finger; and a vertically movable bar-clamping member secured by said strap, said spring finger engaging said bar-clamping member and restraining movement thereof. I

8. A bracket'for mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind, comprising: a sheet metal stamping having two perpendicular legs and a clamp- ,right-hand or left-hand mounting and comprising: a metal body having two perpendicular legs;

an arm pivoted at one end to the body by a pivot located on a line bisecting the angle formed by the legs, the arm being shiftable from one leg to the other and there being retaining means for the arm on each of the legs; and a head attached to the free end of the arm, the head extending on both sides of the arm 10. A bracket for mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind, the bracket being turnable for right-hand or left-hand mounting and-compris- 'the legs, the arm beingshiftable from one leg to the other and there being retaining means for the arm on each of the legs; and a head yielding'ly attached .to the free end of the arm, the

head projecting upwardly from the arm and being invertible thereon.

11. A structure for removably'mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind, comprising:' a bracket having a horizontal shelf to support one end of the head-bar; a member to be permanently attached to the under side of the head-bar; and a biased catch carried by said member, the catch being positioned to pass under said shelf and the shelf being formed to interlock with the catch. 7 12. A structure forremovably mounting the head-bar of a Venetian blind, comprising: a

bracket having a horizontal shelf to support oneend of thehead-bari a member to be permanently attached to the head-bar; and a biased catch carried by said member, the catch being positioned to engage said shelf and the shelf having a series of holes any one. of which mafy'receivethe catch.

' HANS K. LORENTZEN. 

